Alginates are natural hydrocolloids of vegetable origin that occur as a structural component in marine brown algae, where they give strength and flexibility to the plant. In contrast to most other polysaccharide gels, alginate gels can develop instantaneously in the presence of divalent cations into acid gels at low pH and constant temperature. The gelling gives rise to a three dimensional network which determines the gel strength. Alginates with high content of G-blocks give stronger gels & M-rich alginates give softer and more fragile gels. The molecular weight determines the viscosity of alginate solutions while the ratio of mannuronic acid guluronic acid (M/G) determines the relative strength of the gel.

FMC range of alginates and alginic acids offer unique gel-forming, film-forming, thickening and stabilizing properties.